Last season, Georgia played three straight close games to open the year, narrowly winning all three. This season, the Bulldogs host Appalachian State in the season opener Saturday, and ESPN college football insider Phil Steele says he expects a similar result.

Steele said on WJOX 94.5 on Wednesday that he expects Georgia to struggle a little bit in the opener and for Appalachian State to keep the game close throughout.

“I like Georgia to win, but I think App State takes this one right to the wire,” Steele said.

Georgia won its first three games of 2016 by margins of nine points (North Carolina), two points (Nicholls State) and one point (Missouri).

Many pundits are picking the Bulldogs to improve from a season ago, but perhaps Steele is not as confident. The analyst said he has doubts about Georgia’s offensive line, which is young and inexperienced.

“That’s a big question mark coming into the season,” Steele said.

The Bulldogs and Mountaineers open the season at Sanford Stadium Saturday at 6:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.